CN emission in the reaction of active nitrogen with nitromethane
Abstract
Chemiluminescence from the CN radical in the reaction of active nitrogen with nitromethane has been studied as a function of reactant concentration. Only emission from the CN violet system was observed. Its intensity depended on the square of the N(4S) concentration and the first power of the nitromethane concentration. The effects of various quenchers and the kinetic behaviour of the chemiluminescence indicate that CN(B 2∑+) ultimately results from recombination of N(4S) rather than energy transfer from N2(A3∑+u). The quenching behaviour and the vibrational energy distribution in the chemiluminescence indicate that the excited CN radicals are formed in the reaction N + CH → CN (B∑+)+ H.
The concentration of the organic precursor to CH is controlled by a different reaction, which is probably bimolecular.